I do wonder though what Stratford-upon-Avon’s favourite son, William Shakespeare would have made of these pedal powered machines. Given the bicycle, in the form that we know it, was not invented until 1817, I doubt Shakespeare who died 400 years ago could have imagined riding one . He’d have been more familiar with real horses and not hobby horses as the first bicycles were affectionately called.

I was delighted and surprised by the sheer number of hobby horses (bicycles) in Stratford-upon-Avon. Each bicycle photo below was taken within a 10-15 minute walk radius from the centre of the town on the four or five streets with the most eateries. These streets were Sheep street, Stratford-upon-Avon high street, Henley street and Waterside.

From afternoon tea, pubs, snack and coffee shops, restaurants and bars you will be well catered for. English cuisine and afternoon tea gives this town a distinctly English feel. However, there are other cuisines such as Indian, Thai, French and Italian in the town for those who overdose on English roast dinners and full breakfasts.